The Springboks retained the Castle Lager Rugby Championship in the most nerve-tightening fashion imaginable, edging Argentina 29 to 27 at Twickenham to clinch their second successive crown. Before a crowd of more than 70 000, South Africa recovered from a 13 to 10 half-time deficit and withstood a frantic late assault from Los Pumas to confirm their status as world number one.

Argentina struck first, capitalising on Canan Moodie’s early yellow card when Bautista Delguy crossed in the corner and Santiago Carreras converted. The Pumas’ flyhalf added two further penalties to stretch the lead to 13 to 3, and the Boks looked rattled. But a series of scrum penalties finally yielded reward when Cobus Reinach darted over from close range before the interval, cutting the deficit to three and restoring composure.

South Africa’s revival gathered force after the restart. Mayco Vivas’s yellow card for a high tackle proved costly as Malcolm Marx powered over from a rolling maul to hand the Boks their first lead. Reinach’s second and another from Marx gave the champions a 29 to 13 advantage by the 60-minute mark. Yet Argentina refused to fold. Delguy’s intercept try and Rodrigo Isgro’s late finish narrowed the gap to two points, leaving the crowd breathless as the final whistle confirmed South Africa’s triumph.

Both South Africa and New Zealand finished the competition on 19 log points, but the Springboks’ superior points difference (+57 to New Zealand’s +8) secured the title. It marked the first time in the professional era that South Africa have lifted the trophy in consecutive seasons.

Rassie Erasmus said: “I’m satisfied with the result and winning the Castle Lager Rugby Championship back-to-back. This was a massive game for us, and although it was a far from perfect performance, I would prefer to see us learn while we are winning than losing.”

Captain Siya Kolisi added: “We needed to play with more unity, make fewer mistakes, and concede fewer penalties.” Later, reflecting on the team’s resilience, he said: “We know how to fight as a team and to dig deep, and that’s all thanks to coach Rassie in the way he made us change the way we think.”

For all the imperfections, the Boks once again found a way, a quality that continues to define the most resilient side in world rugby.